Happy Valentines

Hi there all! Hope all of you have a lekker Valentine's Day and that you are all spoilt rotten by the ones you love ... my bike was not too nice to me, but maybe i'll give her some TLC later. We were woken to true Valentine's delight by the guys from African Routes ... thanks Thor, Wimpie and Henk!!! Lekker pink nail polish and thanks for the silver hearts, packs of biscuits for each of us and Nutella to go with the morning breadrolls!!!

We arrived in Bahar Dar this morning .. we only had a 61km sprint into town ... and are all relaxing before a lekker party tonight. Still have to put together my outfit ...


Not much since Gondar

We have had two fast, quite uneventfull and pleasent days on the road. All well tarred, two big climbs yesterday in a toital if 117km and nothing much to write about our 61km today.

People are still falling prey to the horrid stomach bug everyday ... I think dear Dave from Stellenbosch/Switzerland is the only person not to have had anything at all. I've hadf a brief early morning toilet session four days ago ... thank goodness on the two rest days and have not sacrficed my cycling yet and still hold a position on the EFI team ... for now.


Kids and onlookers

The kids don't seem to be as aggressive as during out second day in Ethiopia - but they can still be a nuisance. Dave had his Polar watch stolen as well. Many a stones have come flying our ways and numerous cyclists have been beaten with a stick or two. I don't think they are specifically violent ... they merely wish to associate and communicate with us and are unable to bring that across. These flashy, colourful, foreigners that come flying thru their districts ...

The most common comments that get muttered over and over are:
Give watch
Give T-shirt
Where are you going or What is your name
Give money or Give Bir
You rich, me poor ... give money
You, you, you, you, you .... (the most common and continuous outburst)


One quarter done

Well that is all for now ... off to enjoy the town of Bahar Dar ... lying at the southern tip of Lake Tanar ... the origin of the Blue Nile. We have officially completed one quarter of our trip ... time and distance wise ... but not effort wise!!!!

In three or four days time I would appreciate a little thought or two ... we will be crossing thru the Blue Nile Gorge. 1000m climb in 22km ... rough dirt roads, heat and lotsa excited kids!!

Be in touch soon from Addis.